Same-sex Marriage Finally Legalised In Australia

The law passed on Thursday with the backing of the Federal Parliament to a packed public gallery who erupted with cheers and applause.

MPs crossed the chamber to embrace each other – some even shedding a tear.

The historic law followed last month’s postal survey, which concluded that Australia embraced marriage equality.

Thursday’s vote came after last week’s vote in the Senate, meaning the law passed both houses of parliament.

"What a day! What a day for love, for equality, for respect. Australia has done it," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told parliament.

"It's time for more marriages, more commitment, more love, more respect."

Labor leader Bill Shorten said the new law spoke for a modern Australia, "inclusive and fair".

"When this law is passed, we should declare we are no longer a nation of people who voted no, or people who voted yes - we are simply Australians one and all," he said.

Both major parties had given their members a free vote on the issue.

More than 120 MPs spoke during nearly 24 hours of debate on the bill, which was sponsored by gay Liberal senator Dean Smith and backed by colleagues Warren Entsch, Trent Zimmerman, Tim Wilson and Trevor Evans.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott tried to effectively kill off the legislation with an amendment that would stop its progress, but failed.